China on Thursday slammed the US government for the appointment of special coordinator on Tibet affairs calling it an act of "interfere".

Watch:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-the-us-appoints-special-coordinator-for-tibet-335591/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"The US side should stop using the Tibet issue to interfere in China’s internal affairs and destroy Tibet’s development and stability," foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-appoints-tibet-coordinator-to-send-a-message-to-china-335576">Also Read:&nbsp;US appoints Tibet coordinator to send a message to China</a>

The Trump administration had appointed Robert Destro as the "special coordinator" on Tibetan issues amid tension between China and the US.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-appoints-robert-destro-as-special-coordinator-for-tibetan-issues-335413">Robert Destro</a> is a senior US human rights official is also the assistant secretary of state for democracy, human rights and labour.&nbsp;

The US has criticised the Xi government's human rights record on issues including Xinjiang and Tibet.

However, the Chinese foreign ministry said that ethnic minorities in Tibet enjoy "full freedom of religious belief" as it accused the US of &nbsp;"political manipulation".&nbsp;

US secretary of state Mike Pompeo while introducing Destro as the special envoy on Tibet, said: "Destro will lead US efforts to promote dialogue between the People’s Republic of China and the Dalai Lama or his representatives; protect the unique religious, cultural, and linguistic identity of Tibetans; and press for their human rights to be respected."

"The United States remains concerned with the PRC’s repression of the Tibetan community," Pompeo added.

Tibet's regional chairman Che Dalha said China "never restricted foreigners' entry into Tibet". The US government had earlier restricted visas of Chinese officials who were allegedly involved in blocking diplomatic access to Tibet.

China on Thursday slammed the US government for the appointment of special coordinator on Tibet affairs calling it an act of "interfere". Watch: "The US side should stop using the Tibet issue to interfere in China’s internal affairs and destroy Tibet’s development and stability," foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said.

China on Thursday slammed the US government for the appointment of special coordinator on Tibet affairs calling it an act of "interfere". Watch: "The US side should stop using the Tibet issue to interfere in China’s internal affairs and destroy Tibet’s development and stability," foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said. Also Read: US appoints Tibet coordinator to send a message to China The Trump administration had appointed Robert Destro as the "special coordinator" on Tibetan issues amid tension between China and the US. Robert Destro is a senior US human rights official is also the assistant secretary of state for democracy, human rights and labour. The US has criticised the Xi government's human rights record on issues including Xinjiang and Tibet. However, the Chinese foreign ministry said that ethnic minorities in Tibet enjoy "full freedom of religious belief" as it accused the US of "political manipulation". US secretary of state Mike Pompeo while introducing Destro as the special envoy on Tibet, said: "Destro will lead US efforts to promote dialogue between the People’s Republic of China and the Dalai Lama or his representatives; protect the unique religious, cultural, and linguistic identity of Tibetans; and press for their human rights to be respected." "The United States remains concerned with the PRC’s repression of the Tibetan community," Pompeo added. Tibet's regional chairman Che Dalha said China "never restricted foreigners' entry into Tibet". The US government had earlier restricted visas of Chinese officials who were allegedly involved in blocking diplomatic access to Tibet.

US should stop using Tibet to interfere in our internal affairs: China

US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo on Monday approached the Chinese government to quickly make open the whereabouts of Panchen Lama and said that the United States remains profoundly worried about China's continuous battle to dispense the religious, linguistic and cultural identity of Tibetans.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-says-its-panchen-lama-made-first-trip-outside-country-in-may-226267">Also read: China says its Panchen Lama made first trip outside country in May</a> 
 
"The Department of State has made the promotion and protection of religious freedom a priority, especially in China, where people of all faiths face severe repression and discrimination," Pompeo said.

"As part of that mission, on 17 May, we marked the 25th anniversary of the disappearance of the 11th Panchen Lama, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, who has not appeared in public since the PRC government abducted him in 1995, at age six," he added.

The US Secretary of State noted that Panchen Lama is one of the most important figures in Tibetan Buddhism with spiritual authority second only to the Dalai Lama.

"But China's persecution of the Panchen Lama is not unusual. The United States remains deeply concerned about the PRC's ongoing campaign to eliminate the religious, linguistic, and cultural identity of Tibetans, including through the ongoing destruction of communities of worship and learning, such as the Larung Gar and Yachen Gar Buddhist Institutes," said Pompeo.

"Tibetan Buddhists, like members of all faith communities, must be able to select, educate, and venerate their religious leaders according to their traditions and without government interference. We call on the PRC government to immediately make public the Panchen Lama's whereabouts and to uphold its constitution and international commitments to promote religious freedom for all persons," the US Secretary of State added.

Earlier this year, the US House of Representatives had unanimously passed the Tibetan Policy and Support Act (TPSA) to strengthen policy in support of Tibet, a move that was reciprocated as "encouraging and empowering" by the representatives of the Himalayan Buddhist region that has been under the control of China since several decades. 
 
(With inputs from ANI)

US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo on Monday approached the Chinese government to quickly make open the whereabouts of Panchen Lama and said that the United States remains profoundly worried about China's continuous battle to dispense the religious, linguistic and cultural identity of Tibetans.

US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo on Monday approached the Chinese government to quickly make open the whereabouts of Panchen Lama and said that the United States remains profoundly worried about China's continuous battle to dispense the religious, linguistic and cultural identity of Tibetans. Also read: China says its Panchen Lama made first trip outside country in May "The Department of State has made the promotion and protection of religious freedom a priority, especially in China, where people of all faiths face severe repression and discrimination," Pompeo said. "As part of that mission, on 17 May, we marked the 25th anniversary of the disappearance of the 11th Panchen Lama, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, who has not appeared in public since the PRC government abducted him in 1995, at age six," he added. The US Secretary of State noted that Panchen Lama is one of the most important figures in Tibetan Buddhism with spiritual authority second only to the Dalai Lama. "But China's persecution of the Panchen Lama is not unusual. The United States remains deeply concerned about the PRC's ongoing campaign to eliminate the religious, linguistic, and cultural identity of Tibetans, including through the ongoing destruction of communities of worship and learning, such as the Larung Gar and Yachen Gar Buddhist Institutes," said Pompeo. "Tibetan Buddhists, like members of all faith communities, must be able to select, educate, and venerate their religious leaders according to their traditions and without government interference. We call on the PRC government to immediately make public the Panchen Lama's whereabouts and to uphold its constitution and international commitments to promote religious freedom for all persons," the US Secretary of State added. Earlier this year, the US House of Representatives had unanimously passed the Tibetan Policy and Support Act (TPSA) to strengthen policy in support of Tibet, a move that was reciprocated as "encouraging and empowering" by the representatives of the Himalayan Buddhist region that has been under the control of China since several decades. (With inputs from ANI)

US asks China to reveal whereabouts of Tibet's Panchen Lama, who has been missing for 25 years

US&nbsp;Ambassador to China Terry Branstad was scheduled to visit Tibet this week, a US&nbsp;embassy spokeswoman said, the first visit to the region by a US&nbsp;ambassador since 2015, amid escalating trade tension between the two countries.

The visit follows the passing of a law in December that requires the United States to deny visas to Chinese officials in charge of implementing policies that <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinese-government-systematically-impeding-travel-to-tibet-us-state-department-report-205770">restrict access to Tibet for foreigners</a>, legislation that was denounced by China.

"This visit is a chance for the ambassador to engage with local leaders to raise longstanding concerns about restrictions on religious freedom and the preservation of Tibetan culture and language," the spokeswoman said in an emailed statement.

Branstad was travelling to Qinghai province and neighbouring Tibet from May 19 to May 25 on a trip that will include official meetings as well as visits to religious and cultural heritage sites, the spokesperson said.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said the government welcomed Branstad's visit and he could see for himself the big changes that have taken place there since Tibet was "peacefully liberated" more than six decades ago.

China hopes that Branstad does not take any "prejudices" with him on this trip and goes with an objective attitude so he can reach his own conclusions, Lu told a daily news briefing.

"Especially on the protection and development of Tibetan culture, religion, heritage, and history, I hope that he can respect the facts and draw his own conclusions, instead of being confused and disturbed by hearsay and certain long-standing rumours and smears."

In December, China criticised the United States for passing the Reciprocal Access to Tibet Act, which seeks to promote access to Tibet for US&nbsp;diplomats and other officials, journalists and other citizens by denying US entry for Chinese officials deemed responsible for restricting access to Tibet.

The US government is required to begin denying visas by the end of this year.

Call for restraint

China says it is "resolutely opposed" to the US&nbsp;legislation on what China considers an internal affair, and it risked causing "serious harm" to their relations.

The ambassador's visit comes as tensions have been running high between the two countries over trade. China struck a more aggressive tone in its trade war with the United States on Friday, suggesting a resumption of talks between the world's two largest economies would be meaningless unless Washington changed course.

On Saturday, the Chinese government's top diplomat, Wang Yi, told US&nbsp;Secretary of State <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/top-us-lawmakers-press-pompeo-for-answers-on-iran-arms-control-report-219258">Mike Pompeo </a>that recent US&nbsp;words and actions had harmed the interests of China and its enterprises and that Washington should show restraint.

While the Trump administration has taken a tough stance towards China on trade and highlighted security rivalry, it has not acted on congressional calls for it to impose sanctions on China's former Communist Party chief in Tibet, Chen Quanguo, for the treatment of minority Muslims in the Xinjiang region, where he is party chief.

The State Department said in a March report Chen had replicated in Xinjiang policies similar to those credited with reducing opposition to Chinese rule in Tibet.

Beijing sent troops into remote, mountainous Tibet in 1950 in what it officially terms a peaceful liberation and has ruled there with an iron fist ever since.

US Ambassador to China Terry Branstad was scheduled to visit Tibet this week, a US embassy spokeswoman said, the first visit to the region by a US ambassador since 2015, amid escalating trade tension between the two countries.

US Ambassador to China Terry Branstad was scheduled to visit Tibet this week, a US embassy spokeswoman said, the first visit to the region by a US ambassador since 2015, amid escalating trade tension between the two countries. The visit follows the passing of a law in December that requires the United States to deny visas to Chinese officials in charge of implementing policies that restrict access to Tibet for foreigners, legislation that was denounced by China. "This visit is a chance for the ambassador to engage with local leaders to raise longstanding concerns about restrictions on religious freedom and the preservation of Tibetan culture and language," the spokeswoman said in an emailed statement. Branstad was travelling to Qinghai province and neighbouring Tibet from May 19 to May 25 on a trip that will include official meetings as well as visits to religious and cultural heritage sites, the spokesperson said. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said the government welcomed Branstad's visit and he could see for himself the big changes that have taken place there since Tibet was "peacefully liberated" more than six decades ago. China hopes that Branstad does not take any "prejudices" with him on this trip and goes with an objective attitude so he can reach his own conclusions, Lu told a daily news briefing. "Especially on the protection and development of Tibetan culture, religion, heritage, and history, I hope that he can respect the facts and draw his own conclusions, instead of being confused and disturbed by hearsay and certain long-standing rumours and smears." In December, China criticised the United States for passing the Reciprocal Access to Tibet Act, which seeks to promote access to Tibet for US diplomats and other officials, journalists and other citizens by denying US entry for Chinese officials deemed responsible for restricting access to Tibet. The US government is required to begin denying visas by the end of this year. Call for restraint China says it is "resolutely opposed" to the US legislation on what China considers an internal affair, and it risked causing "serious harm" to their relations. The ambassador's visit comes as tensions have been running high between the two countries over trade. China struck a more aggressive tone in its trade war with the United States on Friday, suggesting a resumption of talks between the world's two largest economies would be meaningless unless Washington changed course. On Saturday, the Chinese government's top diplomat, Wang Yi, told US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo that recent US words and actions had harmed the interests of China and its enterprises and that Washington should show restraint. While the Trump administration has taken a tough stance towards China on trade and highlighted security rivalry, it has not acted on congressional calls for it to impose sanctions on China's former Communist Party chief in Tibet, Chen Quanguo, for the treatment of minority Muslims in the Xinjiang region, where he is party chief. The State Department said in a March report Chen had replicated in Xinjiang policies similar to those credited with reducing opposition to Chinese rule in Tibet. Beijing sent troops into remote, mountainous Tibet in 1950 in what it officially terms a peaceful liberation and has ruled there with an iron fist ever since.

US Ambassador to China visiting Tibet this week

us-tibet

Us Tibet, News on Us Tibet, stories on Us Tibet, articles on Us Tibet, Us Tibet stories at Wion, Us Tibet news, Us Tibet latest news

us tibet

US should stop using Tibet to interfere in our internal affairs: China

US asks China to reveal whereabouts of Tibet's Panchen Lama, who has been missing for 25 years

US Ambassador to China visiting Tibet this week